Golf training device



NOV. 1961 M. E. HEARD 3,009,704

GOLF TRAINING DEVICE Filed Jan. 21, 1960 INVENTOR 2 MAURICE E; HEARD ATroliNEYs ni ed S at s P t P H e A 3,009,704 Patented Nov. 21, -1 9 61.

3,009,704 GOLF TRAINING DEVICE Maurice E. Heard, Lanett, Ala. (West Point, Ga.) Filed Jan. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 3,899 7 Claims. (Cl. 273-179) This invent-ion pertains to golf training devices, and more particularly to a device particularly adapted to teach golfers the correct stroke in putting.

In the game of golf, the putter is generally conceded to be one of the most important-tbut also most difiicultclubs to master if low scores are to be achieved. This difiiculty is due primarily to the putting stroke being unique and dissimilar from that employed during wood or iron shots, in that in proper putting the club head is moved axially of the ball during both back-swing and follow-through. It is a primary object of this invention to provide a device which will assist in teaching a golfer this correct putting stroke.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described wherein the parts thereof are so arranged as to instill in a golfer the habit of keeping his eye upon the ball, which is also of the utmost importance for proper putting.

Another object is to provide a device of the type described which is of simple and economical construction, and which may be utilized withfacility by either left or righthanded golfers, under conditions closely simulating those actually encountered on the put-ting green.

tongues 30. Both sides 14 of platform 10 are provided with a pair of spaced slots 32, each pair of which are adapted to'receive and support the tongues 30. By 10- cating platform 26 on the left side of platform 10, as in FIGURE 3, right-handed golferscan be accommodated; and by moving platform 26 to the opposite side, the device can be utilized by left-handed golfers.

Mounted upon the end 16 of platform 10 are two lamps 34, 36.which, when activated, direct mutually parallel light beams 38, 40 parallel to and above top 12 on opposite sides of putting station 22. A pair of photocells or other sensitive devices 42, 44, having resistances which are a direct function of the amount of light falling thereon, are mounted upon the platform inalignment with beams 38, 40, respectively Mounted-upon or recessed within the top 1'2, in such a manner that they are flush with the carpeted or felted coverings (not shown) thereon, are a pair of neon signal lamps 46, 48. As is more fully discussed hereinafter, it is highly significant that the signal lamps are located, in close proximity to putting station 22, prefenably on the opposite sides thereof.

A related and more specific object is to provide in a device of the type described eflicient ball return means of economical construction. Other objects and advantages will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The description should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan View of a preferred embodiment of the device;

FIGURE 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG- URE l; V I

' FIGURE 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, and showing a golfer in putting stance addressing a ball upon the putting station of the device; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective View showing the adjustable mounting of one of the light sources seen in FIGURES 1 and 2;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the Lamps 34, 36, photocells 42, 44, and neon lamps 46, 48,are connected together in a suitable circuit with resi'stances 50, 5'2 as seen in FIGURE 6. The values of resistances 50, 52 are selected so that when light from the lamps 34, 36 .fallson photocells 42, 44, the voltage across each neon signal lampj46, 48 is below the Value required to light the same. Interruptionof either light beam 38 or 40, however, will cause the voltage across its associaated neon signal lamp to rise above theignition voltage, thus causing the lamp to light momentarily while the beam is blocked. t g In utilizing the device, a golfer stands upon the platform 26, as shown in FIGURE 3, and strokes a ball 54 upon put-ting station 22 toward cup 24. Parallel beams 38, define a Z01 6 f optimum movement of the putter stroke is incorrect either during back swing or follow through, the putter head or shaft will interrupt. either or adjustable mounting of the light sensitive device seen at the bottom of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a Wiring diagram of the control circuits.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, the device includes an elongated platform 10 having a top 12, sides 14 and ends 16, 18. Platform 10 is prefenably of in-' tegral construction, as shown, with sides 14 and ends 16, 18 rising slightly above top 12 so as to define a peripheral lip 20 thereabout, and also extending downwardly therefrom so as to provide supporting members for the platform 10. Centrally of the top 12 and near opposite ends thereof there is provided at putting station 22 and an aperture 24 defining a cup target of regulation size. The upper surface of top 12 is carpeted or felted (not shown) so as to simulate as closely as possible the surface of a putting green.

A smaller platform 26, uponwhich a golfer stands while utilizing the device, is disposed adjacent a side 14 of platform 10 in proximity to putting station 22. .As is best seen in FIGURE 3, platform 26 is supported along one edge by a downwardly extending side 28 and along its opposite edge is provided with a pair of projecting both light beams 38, 40. Interruption of either beam will actuate itsassociated signal lamp Inomentarilyto give the golfer an indication that the stroke was improper.

Since signal lamps 46, 48 are located adjacent putting station 22 and are but momentarily illuminated during an improper swing, a golfer properly using the device is forced to keep his eyes in the vicinity of .the ball 54, in order to detect whether his putting stroke is proper. Continued-usefof the device will make this habitual so that when putting under actual conditions the golferrwill automatically tend to keep his head down and his eyes upon the ball.

The lamps 34, 36 and light sensitive devices 42, 44 are adjustably mounted upon platform 10 so that the, height and width of the zone defined by beams 38-, 4.0 may be varied to accommodate club heads of different sizes. Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that the position of a lamp 34 or 36 may be adjusted horizontally by loos,- ening nut 56 and sliding bolt 58 lengthwise in the slot 60, provided in the end 16 of platform 10. Similarly, vertical adjustment of the lamp maybe achievedby looseningimt 62and sliding member 64 and bolt relative tomember68. a QIt. will be apparent that photocells 42, 44 might-be. mounted upon end 18 of platform 10, in a manner similar to :the mounting oflamps 34, 36; It is greatly preferred, however, to mount photocells 42, intermediate the length of platform 10, as shown, where they will not distract a golfer observing cup 24 while lining up his putt. Referring to FIGURE 5, the preferred mount for each photocell includes an L-shaped member 72, the slotted vertical leg of which is secured to side 14 by means of nut 74 and bolt 76. The horizontal leg of member 72 projects inwardly of the device '10 and is provided with arms 78. A slotted member 80 is closely received between the arms 78 and is also held in engagement with member 72 by nut 82 and bolt 86. The photocell is secured by any suitable means to the inner end of member 80. By loosening nut 74 and sliding member 72 relative to side 14, the position of the photocell may be adjusted vertically. Similarly, the horizontal position of the photocell may be changed by loosening nut 82 and sliding member 80 relative to member 72.

Welded or otherwise mounted centrally of the platform beneath surface 12 is an inclined chute 86, the lowest end of which terminates beneath an opening 88 adjacent end 16 of the device. Since cup 24 communicates directly with chute 86, a ball entering the cup will roll down the chute and return to opening 88 for reuse. The upper end of chute 86 is outwardly flared and in communication with a trough 90 which extends across the entire width of platform 10 at end 18 thereof. It will be apparent that any balls hit excessively hard and passing over or around cup 24 will drop within trough 90 and also be returned via chute 86 to the opening 88 for reuse. The raised peripheral lip 20 extending about platform 10 prohibits any balls from escaping from top 12 other than through cup 24 or trough 90.

As discussed heretofore, that part of platform 10 adjacent end 16 supports one side of platform 26 through tongues 30 and slots 32. Since the weight of a golfer upon platform 26 may be substantial, it is desirable to impart additional strength and rigidity to that part of platform 10 bearing a portion of this load. Such added strength is economically achieved in the instant invention by making the maximum height of chute 86 substantially the same as the height of sides 14 (see FIG- URES 1 and 3), and by providing end 16 with a flange 92 which abuts the under surface of top 12. Thus the weight of a golfer upon platform 26 is supported not only by sides 28, 14 and end 16, but also by flange 92 and a portion of chute 86.

It will thus be seen that the instant invention successfully achieves the objects and advantages heretofore noted. Since various modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it will be realized that the foregoing description is illustrative only, and the scope of the invention is to be limited only in accordance with the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A golf training device comprising an elongated putting surface, said surface having a putting station thereon and a target spaced from said putting station; a pair of light sources mounted above said surface and directing a pair of light beams substantially parallel thereto, said beams extending substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of said putting station and defining a zone of optimum movement of a putter head stroking a golf ball upon said putting station toward said target; light sensitive means longitudinally spaced along said surface from said light sources and in alignment with said beams; visual signal means adjacent said putting station; and circuit means interconnecting said light sensitive means and said signal means for causing said signal means to momentarily register when either of said beams is interrupted by a putter head during a putting stroke.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said signal means comprises a pair of signal lamps adjacent the putting station and in substantially the same plane as said surface, interruption of one of said beams actuating one of the lamps and interruption of the other of said beams actuating the other of said lamps.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein said light sources and devices are adjustably mounted so that the height and width of said zone are variable to accommodate putter heads of different sizes.

4. A golf training device comprising a platform having a peripheral rim extending above a putting surface; said surface having a putting station thereon and target means spaced from the station; a pair of spaced light sources mounted upon said platform and directing light beams above and substantially parallel to said surfac on opposite sides of the putting station, said beams defining a zone of optimum movement of a putter head stroking a golf ball upon said putting station toward said target means; at least two light sensitive devices mounted upon said platform longitudinally spaced along said surface from the light sources and in alignment with the beams; a pair of signal lamps adjacent the putting station and in substantially the same plane as said surface; circuit means interconnecting said devices and said lamps whereby interruption of one of said beams momentarily actuates one of the lamps and interruption of the other of said beams momentarily actuates the other of said lamps; and means for returning a ball from said target means to a point adjacent the putting station.

5. A device as in claim 4 wherein said target means comprises a first aperture defining a cup-target, and including a second aperture on that side of the cup-target distant from the putting station, and wherein said ball return means includes an inclined chute communicating with said apertures and extending to a point adjacent the putting station.

6. A device as in claim 5 wherein said light sources and devices are adjustably mounted upon said platform so that the height and width of said zone are variable to accommodate club heads of different sizes.

7. A golf training device comprising a first platform having a peripheral rim extending above a putting surface; said surface having a putting station thereon and first and second apertures spaced from the station, the first aperture defining a cup-target and the second aperture being on that side of the cup distant from the putting station; a second platform adapted to support a golfer mounted adjacent the first platform and in proximity to the putting station; a pair of spaced light sources mounted upon said first platform on that side of said putting station distant from said apertures and directing light beams above and substantially parallel to said surface on opposite sides of the putting station, said beams defining a zone of optimum movement of a putter head stroking a golf ball upon said putting station toward said cup-target; at least two light sensitive devices mounted upon said first platform intermediate said putting station and said apertures and in alignment with the beams; said light sources and devices being adjustably mounted upon said first platform so that the height and width of said zone are variable to accommodate putter heads of different sizes; a pair of signal lamps adjacent the putting station and in substantially the same plane as said surface; circuit means interconnecting said devices and said lamps whereby interruption of one of said beams momentarily actuates one of the lamps and interruption of the other of said beams momentarily actuates the other of said lamps; and inclined chute means beneath the surface and communicating with said apertures, said chute extending to a lowest point adjacent the putting station so as to return thereto balls deposited within the apertures,

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,667,481 Lange et al. Apr. 24, 1928 2,417,092 Smith Mar. 11, 1947 2,571,974 Walker Oct. 16, 1951 

